Football icon Mary Earps MBE has opened up on her sexuality for the first time as she confirmed she is in a relationship after keeping her love life private for years

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Mary Earps is releasing her very own book about her life(Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)

England footballer Mary Earps MBE has opened up on her relationship for the first time after opting to keep her love life private. The Lionesses star revealed she is loved up with girlfriend Kitty as she spoke of her same-sex relationship for the first time.

She detailed her romance in her forthcoming autobiography, All In, which will be published on 6 November. In the book, the England goalkeeper opened up about her personal life and decision to share her story publicly after years of keeping it private.

Mary admitted she wanted to speak honestly about who she is and hoped her openness will inspire others to live authentically. The sports star told her friends and teammates about her decision and revealed she has received an outpouring of support.

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Mary is releasing her very own book about her life

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The England goalkeeper has opened up on her love life for the first time(Image: Getty Images)

Lionesses teammates Ella Toone and Alessia Russo have particularly helped Mary. LGBTQ+ charities and organisations have also praised her announcement.

British LGBT Awards’ Sarah Garrett MBE has called Mary “a hero and inspirational role model to young women and girls all over the world “.

In a statement the Nottingham-born footballer said: “I’ve always tried to keep my personal life separate from my professional one, but it would have felt inauthentic not to include something so important to me in this book. I’m in a really happy relationship.

“The people closest to me have always known, and I feel ready and happy to share that with everyone else now.” Goalkeeper Mary currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain, having previously starred for Manchester United.

She was part of the historic Lionesses squad that won the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 and was awarded an MBE earlier this year for her services to football.

Her book, All In, offers an honest and powerful account of her journey – from the highs of international success to personal struggles with mental health and finding confidence in her identity both on and off the pitch.

Speaking ahead of the book’s release, Mary said: “This book is me, unfiltered. I hope it resonates with anyone who’s ever been told they’re not enough and inspires the next generation to be unapologetically themselves.”

The Lionesses legend has poured her heart into the book, which takes readers from her grassroots beginnings all the way to becoming one of the most respected goalkeepers in the world.

All In charts the highs, the heartbreaks and the heroics that made Mary a national treasure – and reveals personal moments she’s never spoken about before.

Early readers have already hailed All In as “brilliant” and “inspirational”, with many forecasting it will become a must-read for young fans aspiring to emulate the Lionesses’ success.